The walk to the dorms was, I'll admit, pretty scenic—nothing like that sterile, whitewashed room I'd just been in. The path was pristine, no litter or stray leaves, and any signs of a skirmish or two had been scrubbed away as if nothing had ever happened.

Miss Reid was practically sprinting ahead, or maybe I was still a little woozy from the whole sword ordeal. I tried to get a sense of where we were going, find some orientation, hoping I'd at least remember a few landmarks for tomorrow. But nope, no chance of that. I had to hustle just to keep up with her, glancing at the surroundings as I half-jogged to not fall behind.

"I'm sorry we couldn't step in when that... incident happened. The last time we tried, the student ended up in a coma. It's safer to just let whatever that is run its course." She was rattling off all kinds of school info during our speed-walk—rules, clubs, classes—but that was the first time she mentioned anything about the sword.

"Guess I'm lucky no one tried to help, though it was painful as fu—" I caught myself, remembering who I was talking to. Miss Reid didn't miss a beat.

"For a prince, your manners could use some polishing, Mr Mercia," she said with a sigh. "At least you had the sense to stop yourself. Maybe think before you speak next time."

I nodded awkwardly, bowing my head as we stopped in front of a rather plain door.

"This is your room. You'll be sharing it with Mr Dean. Here's the key. Your belongings have already been delivered, and your uniform is in the wardrobe. If it doesn't fit, let one of your teachers know, and we'll get you another. But I'm sure the measurements are correct." She handed me the key and left without another word.

The room was bigger than I expected, though not exactly spacious by any means. Two beds, one on each side, with a desk by the window. Just as I was taking it all in, a door swung open, and out walked a guy who looked a bit older than me, dripping wet, with light brown—maybe dirty blonde—hair.

His deep purple eyes marked him as a Specto, someone with freakishly good eyesight. He had two shaved stripes at the end of one eyebrow and a couple of hoops in his right ear.

The guy wasn't exactly dressed—just a towel around his waist while he dried his hair with another. It took him a few seconds to realise I was even there.

"Oh, hey! You must be Nathan." He strolled over, holding out a hand to shake while still drying himself off. "I'm Luke. Looks like we're roommates now, huh?"

He acted like standing half-naked in front of a stranger was the most normal thing in the world.

Trying not to make it awkward, I shook his hand, avoiding eye contact with, well, the rest of him. It wasn't that I was flustered or anything—just that back home, you don't usually see anyone with more than a sliver of skin showing. This was new territory for me, for sure. Sharing a room with someone? Never had to deal with that before.

Luke wandered over to what was obviously his side of the room and, without any hesitation, dropped the towel to grab some clothes. I spun around on my heels, but it was too late. Scarred. Utterly scarred.

He caught my reaction and chuckled. "Not used to this kind of casualness in that palace of yours, huh, Nathan? Or should I say, Your Highness?"

I couldn't help but wonder how he knew about that, considering it was supposed to be a secret for now. But I guess news travels fast in places like this. If he knew, then odds were everyone else did too.

When I turned back, he was thankfully fully clothed, but I couldn't hide my confusion.

"What? Word gets around quickly, especially in schools." Luke shrugged, not the least bit bothered by my title. Honestly, it was a relief, knowing I'd be stuck with him from now on.

At school I wanted to be just any other student trying to fit in, I didn't want any special treatment, but if people knew who I was, that was gonna be a problem.

Luke glanced at his watch and wrapped it around his wrist. "I've gotta head out. Don't freak out if I'm not back until tomorrow morning. Got a date with this hot chick from Vexis Academy, but I'll be back in time to show you around tomorrow. Don't worry." He ruffled his dirty blonde hair, grabbed his jacket, and strolled out of the room with the confidence of someone who had done this a million times before. I just hoped he'd actually be back to show me around—'cause I really did need a guide.

After changing into my pyjamas, I sat on my bed, holding the hilt of my new sword. "Caladorn, huh? I guess no one else heard you earlier," I muttered, running my thumb over the activation button before sliding the hilt under my bed.

After a day like today, just lying down and staring at the ceiling was enough to make me doze off.

It was late into the night when I jolted awake, shaking uncontrollably and wiping away the remnants of tears I didn't even realise I'd shed.

Hugging my knees to my chest, I heard some rustling and looked up to see Luke kneeling by my bed. I must have woken him, but I didn't understand why he was there. He didn't say anything, just waited.

Once I'd managed to calm myself down a bit, he finally spoke. "Nightmare?"

I was surprised by how soft his voice was, how it instantly put me at ease.

Even though I barely knew him, I already felt like I could talk to him. So I thought back to that awful dream and nodded.

"My sister used to get those all the time. Wanna talk about it?"

When I tried to answer, he gently wiped a tear off my cheek, which should've irritated me, but somehow it didn't. Instead, I leaned into his hand, craving the comfort he offered.

It felt good to have someone there to listen rather than sitting alone all night like usual.

Luke looked genuinely sincere, so I started explaining. "It's always the same nightmare. It's about my mother... I don't want to go into all the details, but it always ends the same way."

I paused, reliving the dream for a moment, and Luke just waited, his deep purple eyes full of sympathy.

"We were at a ball with other royals and officials. I felt sick, so she took me outside for some air. That's when..."

My voice trailed off as if my mind was screaming at me not to say it, not to remember.

"...when an assassin sent to kill me attacked us. My mother... sh-she tried to protect me. She fought to save me. She... she was murdered right there, just a step or two in front of me. My father barely reached me in time, but he was too late to save her..." My voice faded, and tears started welling up again.

"It's not just a nightmare, is it?"

When I looked up at Luke, a boy I'd known for maybe a few hours at most, tears streamed down my face. It was so unlike me to open up to anyone like this. Only my aunt got to see this side of me.

"If... if it wasn't for me, she'd still be here."

As I started trembling again, Luke wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my back to calm me down.

"How old were you?"

"I... I was six."

Luke's grip tightened after I answered. I still don't know why I opened up to him that night. I mean, I barely knew the guy, but it felt good to have someone actually listen, actually care.

We stayed like that for what felt like forever. I just let him hold me, this guy I'd only just met, until I finally pulled myself together and moved away.

"Thanks. I know I'm a pathetic excuse for a man, let alone a prince." I looked away, trying to hide my embarrassment as I got back into bed. "Why are you even here? I thought you had a date."

Only when he was back on his own side of the room did I glance over at him.

"I did, but it turns out she just wanted to duel me to impress some other guy. What can you do? There are always more girls." Luke shrugged, sighing as he closed his eyes.

He really didn't care that his date was a bust, which surprised me a bit. I was learning so much about him so quickly. He might be a good listener, maybe even a good friend, but he was also definitely a womaniser.

"And I don't think you're a pathetic excuse for a man. I heard what happened in the testing box. That's pretty badass, if you ask me," he mumbled, and with that, we both finally went back to sleep.

It looks like Nate and Luke will become quick friends. I wonder if this new roommate is really as carefree as he seems... Well, thanks for reading and don't forget to vote!